Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in China

China: Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change was 36.2% in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
36.2%
Change on year
up 7.3%
World rank
156th
of 214 countries
All-time high
36.2%
in 2022
All-time low
-2.5%
in 2013
Years of data
18
2005–2022

Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in China, 2005–2022

0102030402005201320222005: 11.42006: 12.42007: 10.92008: 8.52009: 72010: 4.52011: 2.82012: 0.6412013: -2.52014: -0.8112015: 1.92016: 1.42017: 8.62018: 16.92019: 19.82020: 24.72021: 33.72022: 36.2

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

China recorded 36.2% for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in 2022. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.

That represents a change of up 7.3% on the previous year and up 5,542.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in China peaked at 36.2% in 2022 and was at its lowest, -2.5%, in 2013.

China ranks 156th of 214 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in China, year by year

Annual values for Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change (%) in China, 2005 to 2022.
Year Value Change
2005 11.4%
2006 12.4% +8.8%
2007 10.9% -12.0%
2008 8.5% -22.4%
2009 7.0% -17.1%
2010 4.5% -35.1%
2011 2.8% -39.1%
2012 0.6% -76.9%
2013 -2.5% -494.7%
2014 -0.8% -68.0%
2015 1.9% -328.3%
2016 1.4% -24.8%
2017 8.6% +518.4%
2018 16.9% +95.8%
2019 19.8% +17.2%
2020 24.7% +24.9%
2021 33.7% +36.6%
2022 36.2% +7.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 10.0% 7.0% 12.4% 5
2010s 5.3% -2.5% 19.8% 10
2020s 31.5% 24.7% 36.2% 3

Countries ranked near China

  1. 153 Armenia 36.8% compare
  2. 154 Israel 36.4% compare
  3. 155 Mozambique 36.3% compare
  4. 157 Turks and Caicos Islands 35.8% compare
  5. 158 Peru 35.4% compare
  6. 159 Guatemala 35.3% compare

See the full ranking of 272 places →

More environment data for China

All data for China →

Frequently asked questions

What is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in China?
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in China was 36.2% in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in China?
The highest recorded value was 36.2% in 2022.
What is the lowest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in China?
The lowest recorded value was -2.5% in 2013.
How does China rank for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change?
China ranks 156th out of 214 countries with data for 2022.
Is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change rising or falling in China?
Over the last ten years it is up 5,542.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this China data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in China. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 30 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/lakes-and-rivers-seasonal-water-area-change-percent/china/

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About this data

Indicator
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
272 places, 4,894 data points, 2005–2022
Last refreshed